Wave to a Runner

I have a perfect opportunity to chip away at my blog slump now that my butt is planted on the couch with no intention of moving.

I ran AthHalf this morning. I am not sure of my official time yet, but it should be between 2:08 and 2:09 (you don't start getting timed until you cross the starting line, so without having been precise on either my starting time or my finishing time, and without the ability to do simple math right now, all I can do is await the official results). My time at the Mercedes in February was 2:17.38, so that was a good improvement. I am happy.

The great thing about these races is the amount of support you have along the way. It's not like training in solitude (which I love, too). You've got people lining the entire course with entertaining signs, offering their encouragement as they cheer you on. You get a fun array of different people, like hipsters sipping coffee, frat guys who should still be passed out, little kids wanting a high-five. It helps pass the time and take your mind off the task at hand.

A couple weeks ago, I did my final crazy-long training run. Two weeks before that, I'd done 10 miles, so my goal for my last run was to do 11. I knew that if I could get one more 10 in, I would be prepared enough, but if I could do 11, I'd feel truly ready.

The temp was about 73 at the time I started and creeping close to 80 towards the end. I don't do hot; I run with the sunrise in the warmer months for this reason, but I had to do this one later in the morning while the kids were at school. I was trying to do 11 miles within an extremely tight radius, which is beyond tedious. I left the town square for about 5 miles as well, where I didn't have the benefit of a water fountain. By the time it was almost over, I just wanted to fall on the ground and go to sleep, preferably in the fountain.

I had just hit 10 miles and was about to quit when I saw a guy a little older than me heading off to lunch, who I'd seen early in my run. He looked at me and was like "whoa! You're still running?!" I popped an earbud out and said "yep, can't wait to be done, but I gotta get ready for a half in a couple weeks." He said, "wow! That is AWESOME! Good luck to you!"

My car was in sight, and I was about to quit, but that little exchange gave me a surprising little adrenaline boost. I said "you know, I have come this far. I am not going to quit. I am going to do this last mile because that guy just made me feel like I should!" So I did, and that guy, whoever he was, has no idea how much of an impact that little bit of unexpected friendliness made on a complete stranger.

Even the smallest of gestures, like a wave or an ounce of encouragement from a stranger in whatever form, gives you a little burst of adrenaline when you're in the throes of a difficult training run.

When you pass runners, wave. You don't know how far they've run, how far they still have to run, or what they're pouring their heart into at the moment. I know some are less receptive, but you might just so happen to reach someone who does thrive on small acts of kindness, and you'll make that person's day.


**Update: 2:08.09 it is. I'd have to re-word that whole (tiny) paragraph, and right now, I cannot. :)